The Rise Of Julius Caesar Mr. Furry

A conqueror is born Who was Julius Caesar? At beginning of the first century B.C. Rome was the biggest city in the world and controlled a vast empire – stretching from modern day France to North Africa. No one is certain of Julius Caesar’s exact birthdate (Caesar invented modern calendars later in his life) – he is thought to have been born between 102 – 100 BC. Some people think the term Caesarean section (C-section) was named after Caesar – but there is no evidence that this is true! © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Family life Who was Julius Caesar? Caesar’s family were wealthy nobles called Patricians. This meant they were part of the group who helped govern Rome. Caesar’s father, Gaius, was a magistrate and his mother ran the family home. Wealthy Roman families would have lived in large homes that were richly decorated. Roman villas included plumbing, toilets, hot and cold water – everything for luxurious living. Caesar’s family would have had slaves, who were responsible for doing chores and preparing meals, leaving the family free to do more important work. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Not much childhood Who was Julius Caesar? Like all boys from his class, Caesar was given three names: Gaius Julius Caesar. As Romans valued knowledge and education, Caesar would have attended school from the age of 6. Learning mathematics, sciences, languages, history and politics. Boys were taught to be brilliant public speakers – writing and performing complicated speeches every week. These boys were the future leaders of Rome and were taught everything they need to be successful. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Youth Who was Julius Caesar? At the age of 16, Caesar officially entered adulthood and he became a citizen of Rome. Caesar’s father, Gaius, died suddenly during Caesar’s 17th year and he was thrown into managing the family’s interests. Roman nobles did not marry for love, it was always a political or business move to strengthen the families involved. In order to keep his family strong in the political scene, Caesar chose to make an alliance with one of Rome’s consuls. At the age of 17, Caesar married the 13 year old, Cornelia, daughter of one of the leaders of Rome, Cinna. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Two factions Who was Julius Caesar? Unfortunately – this marriage resulted in Caesar being caught between two powerful factions in Rome’s Senate. One group was led by Caesar’s new father-in-law, Cinna. His enemy, Sulla was fighting for power in Rome. Cinna ordered the mass slaughter of Sulla’s followers, whilst Sulla was away fighting in Turkey. As a result of this, Cinna was assassinated by the military. Following Cinna’s death, Caesar found himself on the wrong side in the Roman Senate. When Sulla returned to Rome, he demanded to see Caesar and tried to persuade him to divorce Cornelia. Caesar refused. The only way to survive was to leave Rome. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

First Foreign Adventures Who was Julius Caesar? Having angered one of the leaders of Rome, Caesar had to escape. Saying goodbye to his wife and baby daughter – Caesar headed East. He travelled to Asia Minor and became an official in the Roman Army. Not only was Caesar a successful warrior, but he also used his political know-how to make friends in high places. Whilst acting as a foreign diplomat, Caesar became friends and made political alliances with many kings and leaders across Asia and North Africa. Over several years Caesar had many foreign adventures, he was captured by pirates – twice and was awarded military honours for bravery. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

The Return to Rome Who was Julius Caesar? After about 4 years abroad, Sulla died and it was safe for Caesar to return to Rome. He immediately began to get involved with the political scene again. First he worked in the courts as a lawyer. Later, he served the government both in Rome and overseas. Not long after returning to Rome, Caesar’s first wife died. But marriage is good for politics and Caesar soon married again to Pompeia, the grand-daughter of a Senate leader. After 4 years working in Rome, Caesar was placed in charge of public entertainments. He used this role to put on great spectacles and parties. The people of Rome loved him for these lavish festivals. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Caesar Consul Who was Julius Caesar? It is, perhaps, unsurprising that some five years later, at approximately the age of 40, Caesar was elected to the role of Consul in the Senate. The consuls (there were two – called co-consuls) oversaw the work of the Senate and the Roman army. They were elected from members of the Senate and served a one year term as Consul. Consuls were powerful, extremely powerful. They could reward friends and followers by appointing them to senior positions in the government or the army. The policy of having two Consuls was crucial to Rome. It ensured that no one individual had ultimate power and it also allowed one to oversee domestic affairs and the other to led foreign invasions. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Conquering Gaul Who was Julius Caesar? After one year as Consul, the Senate made Caesar the military governor of Gaul (modern France). He spent 9 years in command of the Roman army as they conquered Gaul and attempted to attack Britain. With 20,000 soldiers, he defeated some 300 tribes, destroyed 800 towns and swept across modern day Spain, France, Belgium. Twice Caesar attempted to conquer Britain, but the islanders fought ferociously and eventually he ordered his men back to Gaul. Whilst Caesar was in Gaul, Rome was in turmoil. Political in- fighting lurched the empire from one crisis to another. Although he was overseas, Caesar challenged the political leaders in Rome and was punished. The Senate demanded he return to Rome and handover control of the Army. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

In Egypt Who was Julius Caesar? Caesar’s involvement with Cleopatra, Caesar responded by marching the army across the border between Gaul and Italy. He seemed ready to invade his own country. Caesar challenged Pompey, the Consul, heading south through Italy with 20,000 soldiers. Civil war raged across the Roman world, for18 months, Caesar fought his enemy across the Mediterranean and into Egypt. Caesar arrived in Egypt ready to fight Pompey for the leadership of Rome, only to find he had already been murdered by the King of Egypt. Getting involved in the local politics was also part of Caesar’s plan. He wanted to take Egypt for the Roman empire. He became ‘personally’ involved with Cleopatra, the King’s sister, though he was twice her age. Caesar’s involvement with Cleopatra, led to a battle for power in Egypt. Following conspiracies and running battles, Caesar narrowly escaped death when the King drowned. Cleopatra now ruled Egypt with her surviving brother. No one was surprised that after Caesar returned to Rome, she gave birth to a son and named Caesar the father. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams

Dictator for life Who was Julius Caesar? A triumphant return to Rome followed Caesar’s war in Egypt. Following years of civil war, the Roman Senate seemed willing for Caesar to take power. They appointed him dictator for a ten year term. Caesar’s plan for Rome was to ensure that no one ever got in his way again. He first reorganised the government so that it was made up of his friends. Then Caesar made himself popular with the people of Rome by putting on festivals. One year later, Caesar was declared dictator for life which meant he was equivalent of a King. He had ultimate power and no one could argue with him. He presided over the Senate in a golden throne. Statues of him were placed in Rome’s holy temples, alongside statues of the gods themselves. © Mrs E’s Literature Daydreams